Fourth Sunday of Advent Evening Prayer The child to be born will be called holy, the Son of Call to Worship God Lord Jesus, we long for your coming (Lk 1:36) O come, O come Emmanuel. Jesus came into our world at Bethlehem bringing God's vision of peace and righteousness on earth. O come, O come Emmanuel. Jesus is coming again into our world bringing the realization of peace and righteousness on earth. Come, Lord Jesus. Come in our lives. Hymn: Advent Gathering by Gary Daigle 1. Here in this world where darkness surrounds us We seek a sign that you are among us, Refrain: Come, O hope of your people, 1
Come among us and stay! Lead us in mercy up from the shadows, Shine in our darkness, be here today! 2. Where is the peace you promised the widow? Where is the home you promised the orphan? 3. Where the road you promise the exile? Where is the good news promised to the lowly? 4. Where is the heart whose yes is salvation? Where is the child whose life is our future? Ant: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emmanuel, a name which means 'God-is-with-us'. Psalm 62 1. Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. 2. How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down this leaning wall, this tottering fence? 3. Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 4. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. 2
5. One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: Power belongs to you, God, and with you, Lord, is unfailing love ; and, You reward everyone according to what they have done. Reading: Micah 5:2-5a But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrata, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace. Reflection: May Christmas Come by Alan Jones The rough beast slouching toward Bethlehem, still waits to come to term. Christmas comes and goes as we expect. Nothing changes. This year in New York, Jerusalem and Kabul, the Innocents are slaughtered according to Herod's schedule. His rage, unchecked, still does its work. Yet this year things could be different. September 11th adds urgency to the birth, making this the time of choosing. 3
The choice is ours to miss the point or see Mary and her child in every mother and her baby, and adore, absorbing the rage and terror and with a loving heart rebuild the world, making peace our gift. May Christmas come. Intercessions: In these days of preparation for Christmas, we can all be peacemakers at home, with our friends and relatives, and communities and where we work. As we make our own efforts at peace around us, let's turn to the Prince of peace let us raise our prayers 1. For the people who are driven by fear, fuelled by poverty, energized by anger and grief, and motivated by rejection. Response: Lord fill us with your abundant grace 2. For the people whose lives have been disrupted by violence, for the voiceless and oppressed, for the people who are caught in the cross fire. 3. For the children who have lost parents, for the fathers who have lost sons, for the mothers who have lost children, for the wives who have lost husbands, for the people who have lost everything. 4. For those who have lost their hearing and eyesight, for those who have lost their peace, or a piece, of mind, for those who have lost their future, for those who have lost hope. 4
5. Let us cry out for mercy, scream out for justice, shout for compassion, plead for forgiveness, whisper for peace. Andrew Rawding Prayer: Lord Jesus, Master of both the Light and the darkness, Send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your Kingdom We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, Come, Lord Jesus! 5